Monitoring and ablation of autonomic nerves

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods provide interface to a patient&#39;s autonomic nerves via an interior lumen wall of a blood vessel. Systems can include a probe having at least one electrode for receiving electrical signals from the interior of the lumen wall. The system can include processing components for extracting the signals from noise within the patient&#39;s body. Systems can include stimulation electrodes for providing stimulation and eliciting action potentials within the patient and destructive processes for destroying nervous function. The effect of nerve destruction on the propagation of action potentials can be effectively used as a feedback mechanism for determining the amount of nervous function destruction in the patient.

BACKGROUND

New medical therapies have been practiced whereby a probe such as a needle, catheter, wire, etc. is inserted into the body to a specified anatomical location and destructive means are conveyed to nerves by means of the probe to irreversibly damage tissue in the nearby regions. The objective is to abolish nerve function in the specified anatomic location. The result is that abnormally functioning physiological processes can be terminated or modulated back into a normal range. Unfortunately such medical therapies are not always successful because there is no means to assess that the nervous activity has been successfully abolished.

An example is renal nerve ablation to relieve hypertension. Various studies have confirmed the relationship of renal nerve integrity with blood pressure regulation. In various renal ablation procedures, a catheter is introduced into a hypertensive patient's arterial vascular system and advanced into the renal artery. Renal nerves are located in the arterial wall and in regions adjacent to the artery. Destructive means are delivered to the renal artery wall to an extent intended to cause destruction of nerve activity. Destructive means include energy such as RF, ultrasound, laser or chemical agents. The objective is to abolish the renal sympathetic nerve activity. Such nerve activity is an important factor in the creation of hypertension and abolishment of the nerve activity reduces hypertension.

Unfortunately not all patients respond to this therapy. Renal nerve ablation procedures are often ineffective, and are caused by a poor probe/tissue interface. Accordingly, insufficient quantities of destructive means are delivered to the sympathetic nerve fibers transmitting along the renal artery. One reason is that the delivery of destructive means to the arterial wall does not have a feedback control mechanism to assess the destruction of the nerve activity. As a consequence an insufficient quantity of destructive means is delivered and nervous activity is not abolished. Clinicians therefore, require a means of improving the probe/tissue interface, and a technology to monitor the integrity of the nerve fibers passing through the arterial wall in order to confirm destruction of nerve activity prior to terminating therapy. Current technology for the destruction of sympathetic nerve activity does not provide practitioners with a feedback control mechanisms to detect when the desired nervous activity destruction is accomplished. Nerve destructive means are applied empirically without knowledge that the desired effect has been achieved.

It is known that ablation of the renal artery, with sufficient energy, is able to effect a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Current methods are said to be, from an engineering perspective, open loop; i.e., the methods used to effect renal denervation do not employ any way of measuring, in an acute clinical setting, the results of applied ablation energies. It is only after application of such energies and a period of time (3-12 months) that the effects of the procedure are known.

The two major components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nerves. The standard means for monitoring autonomic nerve activity is situations such as described is to insert very small electrodes into the nerve body or adjacent to it. The nerve activity creates an electrical signal in the electrodes which is communicated to a monitoring means such that a clinician can assess nerve activity. This practice is called microneurography and its practical application is by inserting the electrodes transcutaneously to the desired anatomical location. This is not possible in the case of the ablation of many autonomic nerves proximate arteries, such as the renal artery, because the arteries and nerves are located within the abdomen and cannot be accessed transcutaneously with any reliability. Thus the autonomic nerve activity cannot be assessed in a practical or efficacious manner.

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating the physiological processes of circulation, digestion, metabolism, reproduction, and respiration among others. The sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves most often accompany the blood vessels supplying the body organs which they regulate. Examples of such include but are not limited to the following: (1) Nerves regulating liver function accompany the hepatic artery and the portal vein. (2) Nerves regulating the stomach accompany the gastroduodenal, the right gastroepiploic artery, and the left gastric artery. (3) Nerves regulating the spleen accompany the lineal artery. (4) Nerves from the superior mesenteric plexus accompany the superior mesenteric artery, where both the artery and the nerves branch to the pancreas, small intestine, and large intestine. (5) Nerves of the inferior mesenteric plexus accompany the inferior mesenteric artery and branch with the artery to supply the large intestine, the colon, and the rectum.

When monitoring ANS activity, one must generally differentiate between the electrical signals generated by the ANS and those generated by muscle activity, which is commonly called EMG. EMG signals possess amplitudes several orders of magnitude larger than compared to those of the ANS. Probes possessing electrodes have been used to assess the EMG of the heart, stomach, intestines, and other muscles of the body. Such probes and their means and methods for detecting and analyzing the electric signals are not suitable for use with signals generated by the ANS.

Deficiencies in the use of existing therapeutic protocols in denervation of autonomic nerves proximate arteries include: 1. The inability to determine the appropriate lesion sites along the artery that correspond to the track of nerves; 2. The inability to verify that the destructive devices are appropriately positioned on the arterial wall, normalizing the tissue/device interface and enabling energy transfer through the vessel wall, and 3. Inability to provide feedback to the clinician intraoperatively to describe lesion completeness or the integrity of the affected nerve fibers. As a consequence, current autonomic nerve ablation procedures are performed in a ‘blinded’ fashion; the clinician performing the procedure does not know where the nerves are located; and further, whether the nerves have truly been ablated. Instead, surrogates such as catecholamine spillover into the circulating blood have been used to attempt to evaluate the termination of autonomic nerve activity such as renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). It is entirely likely that this deficiency could largely be responsible for the current questionable data coming from clinical trials in the US. Therefore, a system designed to indicate with precision, and in real time, whether ablation was successful is urgently needed.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are generally toward systems and methods for interfacing with the autonomic nervous system of a patient via an interior wall of a blood vessel. In some embodiments, a system includes a probe having at least one electrode capable of detecting electrical signals from an interior wall of a blood vessel. The system can include an electrical control unit (ECU) in electrical communication with the probe and capable of receiving an electrical signal from the at least one electrode of the probe. The ECU can process the received signal to product an output signal, and present information including information about the output signal, the received signal, or processing information. Such systems can be used, for example, in diagnostic procedures for assessing the status of a patient's nervous activity proximate the blood vessel.

In some examples, the system can include a stimulation electrode for providing an electrical stimulus into the interior wall of the blood vessel. The electrical stimulus can be sufficient to provoke an elicited potential in the patient's nerves. The system can receive and process a signal including the elicited potential. Embodiments of the system can further perform a nerve destruction process to destroy nervous tissue or function proximate the blood vessel. The system can evoke and detect elicited potentials before and after the nerve destruction process and compare the detected potentials to determine the effective amount of destruction that has taken place.

In further examples, nerve destruction processes can be performed after at least one diagnostic procedure. For example, a diagnostic procedure can be performed to determine the level of nervous activity in nerves proximate a patient's blood vessel. The level of activity can be analyzed to determine whether or not a nerve destruction process is likely to be effective therapy for a patient. If so, nerve destruction processes can be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D are exemplary probe designs according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system for interfacing with a patient's arterial nerves.

FIG. 3 is a process-flow diagram illustrating an exemplary nerve analysis and destruction process.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary plot representative of an electrical stimulus and an elicited potential detected in a patient's nervous system.

FIG. 5A-5C are a series of exemplary plots showing the effect of nerve destruction on elicited potentials in a patient's nervous system.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary probe design for inserting into a patient's artery.

FIG. 7 is a process-flow diagram illustrating an exemplary diagnostic process.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary plot of electrical signals detected in a patient's nervous system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides some practical illustrations for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to those of ordinary skill in the field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives. Some such alternatives or variations may be more fully appreciated with regard to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/796,944, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This invention enables the real-time assessment of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve activity by comparing stimulus-elicited potentials before and after the delivery of a destructive means to the selected nerves. Electrical stimulation is delivered to the arterial wall in a fashion to reliably elicit maximal nerve activity. The resultant activity transmits distally past a destructive means and towards a system used to record the elicited activity. Comparisons of the neural bursts elicited before and after ablation can be used to indicate the continuity and integrity of the interposed nerve fibers.

Various methods of eliciting and assessing autonomic nerve activity can include inserting a probe containing both therapeutic means for performing destructive processes and stimulating and recording electrodes for eliciting and assessing nervous activity into the patient's body to a desired anatomic location. In some examples, the probe can be inserted through a blood vessel of the patient in order to elicit and assess nerve activity associated with nerves proximate that blood vessel. In still further embodiments, the probe is inserted into an artery into an organ, for example, those described above.

In some embodiments, a clinician may first use the electrodes in a monitoring fashion to establish baseline nervous system function. Alternatively, the clinician may first use the electrodes in a stimulation mode to initiate a nervous activity response which can be measured by the electrodes in a monitoring mode. The clinician may then apply destructive means to the tissue, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/796,944. The clinician may next apply the cycle of nerve stimulation and monitoring to assess whether or not the nerve activity has been abolished. If nervous activity still exists, then the device may indicate to the clinician a value indicative of nerve destruction completeness. For example, the device may estimate an amount of nerve destruction based on the magnitude of detected nervous activity compared to the magnitude of detected nervous activity prior to nerve destruction. The estimated amount of nerve destruction may be in the form of a percentage, for example. At this time, the clinician may assess the level of denervation or destruction and stop, or proceed to deliver another application of destructive means for a more complete lesion. The cycle of application, stimulation, and monitoring may be repeated until nervous activity is abolished, and/or the clinician has reached an intended level of denervation.

Various systems and devices can be used for performing such processes. Some embodiments of the invention comprise a probe for inserting into the patient, for example into a patient's renal artery or any other appropriate lumen in the patient's vasculature. The probe can include a plurality of electrodes directing an electrical stimulus into the patient's body, and for detecting electrical signals elicited within the patient. In various embodiments, electrodes can be arranged along the axis of the probe, around the circumference of the probe, or in any other appropriate arrangement for carrying out various methods according to the present invention. Various electrode configurations are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/796,944. In some configurations, the probe and electrodes are such that, when the probe is inserted into a patent's artery, the electrodes are placed in contact with the artery lumen wall. Such contact permits the application of electrical stimulation from the electrodes to the wall, and the detection of electrical signals from the wall via the electrodes. Various exemplary electrode configurations including a varying number of electrodes are shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and described below.

In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1A, the probe comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. Such a system can further include a third electrode applied on the patient's skin (not shown). A first electrode mounted on the probe can be used to deliver an electrical stimulus to the surrounding tissue in a monopolar fashion, with the electrode placed on the person's skin being used as the return electrode during stimulation. Distal to the stimulating electrode, the second electrode can be used to record elicited bursts of autonomic activity resulting from the stimulus from the first electrode to the third electrode. In some embodiments, during a recording session, the electrode placed on the skin can be used as the indifferent electrode of the electrode pair.

An alternate configuration, such as is shown in FIG. 1B, can include three electrodes on the probe. In such a configuration two electrodes would be dedicated to stimulation and the third would be paired with the external electrode for monitoring.

Another alternative configuration, shown in FIG. 1C, can include 4 electrodes on a single probe: one stimulating electrode, and three recording electrodes. The three recording electrodes can be setup to include an active electrode, an inactive electrode and a common electrode, for example. The one stimulating electrode can operate in a monopolar fashion, wherein an external surface electrode positioned on the patient's skin can serve as a return electrode. Alternatively, two electrodes on the probe can be used as stimulating electrodes and can operate in a bipolar fashion, while the remaining two electrodes could be used for recording/detecting signals, such as in the form of an active and inactive pair.

Still another alternative configuration, such as is shown in FIG. 1D, can include 5 electrodes on a single probe: two stimulating electrodes to deliver stimulation in a bipolar fashion, and three recording electrodes, for example active, inactive and common electrodes. In general, any number of electrodes can be used for any number of purposes, such as delivering stimulation in a monopolar or bipolar fashion, recording/detecting electrical signals, or measuring any other electrical parameter that might be desired (e.g., resistance, capacitance, etc.). In various embodiments, properties of the recording electrodes can be adjusted to best receive action potentials or other signals passing along the arterial wall. For instance, in some examples, the impedance, separation distance, and size and geometry of the recording electrodes can be adjusted.

It will be appreciated that, while various examples are shown in FIGS. A-1D, suitable probes can include any number of electrodes for performing a variety of functions. For instance, further embodiments of a probe can include three or more stimulating electrodes. In some such examples, stimulating electrodes can include a pair of electrodes for bipolar stimulation as well as a reference electrode or a blocking electrode, as will be described below. In other embodiments, additional electrodes (e.g., third electrode, fourth electrode, etc.) can be can be used as alternative electrodes in the event that a first pair of electrodes does not make adequate electrical contact with the arterial wall of the patient. In such embodiments, alternate stimulating electrodes can be used to provide unipolar or bipolar stimulation to the patient's arterial wall.

In some embodiments, means for applying destructive energy to nerves within or proximate the probe are provided. Such destructive means can include, for example, radiofrequency (RF), ultrasonic, microwave, laser or chemical agents. In some embodiments, the destructive means are applied between the stimulating electrode(s) and the recording electrode(s). Accordingly, the stimulating electrode(s) applies a stimulus to the arterial wall and elicits a potential within the patient that travels at some propagation velocity (e.g., between approximately 0.2 m/s and approximately 8 m/s) toward the recording electrode(s), where it can be detected. When a destructive process is performed between the stimulating and recording electrode(s), subsequent elicited potentials traveling from proximate the stimulating electrode(s) toward the recording electrode(s) must traverse the region of nerves to which destructive means has been applied. Accordingly, any effect that the destruction process has on the elicited potential can be observed at the recording electrode(s).

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the stimulating electrodes are shown on the left side of the probe, while the recording electrodes are shown on the right side. In some embodiments, the probe is inserted into an artery such that the recording electrodes are more proximate an organ associated with the artery than are the stimulating electrodes, such as shown in FIG. 2. However, in alternative embodiments, the stimulating electrodes can be more proximate the organ than the recording electrodes.

Any number of electrodes on the probe can generally be in electrical communication with electrical circuitry for applying electrical signals (e.g., stimulation signals) stimulating electrodes or for receiving and/or processing signals from the electrodes. In some examples, circuitry can include various components, such as a processor and operational amplifier with capacitance control in electrical communication with an active recording electrode on the probe for processing received electrical signals. In some embodiments, the active electrode can possess high impedance. Additionally or alternatively, the active electrode can be a part of an active electrode circuit (e.g., an active electrode in communication with circuitry such as amplifier, processor, etc.), which can itself be configured to have a high input impedance. This design can block electrical noise generated by the various sources inherent to the intravascular space, such as blood flow or vascular muscular contraction from being amplified. In addition, such circuitry can limit the detection of nerve firing to a selective region within the vessel's wall. In some configurations, the amount of impedance and applied electrical signal can be dependent on the size and number of recording electrodes, as the interference effects are proportional to the total surface area of the electrode(s) used. In various embodiments, impedance loading can be positioned prior to an amplifier or can be incorporated into the amplifier design.

In some embodiments, the probe and electrical circuitry can be a part of a system for stimulating, monitoring, and destructing nervous tissue. In some such systems, the electrical circuitry can be a part of or otherwise in electrical communication with an electronic control unit (ECU). In various embodiments, the ECU can include a signal emitting portion and/or a signal receiving portions, and can be configured to emit electrical signals to and/or to receive electrical signals from the probe, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of an exemplary system for interfacing with a patient's arterial nerves. As shown, the system 200 of FIG. 2 includes an ECU 202 in electrical communication with a probe 240 inserted in an artery 250 of a patient. The ECU 202 includes a stimulator 206 having electrodes 208 in electrical communication with stimulating electrodes 242 on the probe 240. The stimulator 206 can emit electrical signals to the stimulating electrodes 242 via electrodes 208. When emitting a signal to the probe, the signal can have specific voltage, amperage, duration, and/or frequency of application that will cause nerve cell activation. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrodes 208 can include an anode and a cathode. Further, in some such embodiments, the cathode can be electrically coupled to a stimulating electrode 242 that is located distally from a stimulating electrode 242 that is electrically coupled to the anode. It will be appreciated that, in such an example, stimulating electrodes 242 can similarly be referred to as the anode and cathode due to the respective electrical connection between stimulating electrodes 242 and electrodes 208. That is, electrodes 242 may include an anode and a cathode based on functional operation associated with respectively connected electrodes 208. Thus, in some examples, the probe 240 includes an anode and a cathode for applying a stimulation signal to the arterial wall. In some such examples, the cathode can be located distally with respect to the anode.

Upon receiving the signal, the stimulating electrodes of the probe can apply electrical energy to a patient's nerves through the arterial wall based on the received signal. The stimulus can have any of a variety of known waveforms, such as a sinusoid, a square wave form or a triangular wave form, as taught, for example, in the paper “Selective activation of peripheral nerve fiber groups of different diameter by triangular shaped stimulus pulses,” by Accornero (Journal of Physiology. 1977 December; 273(3): 539-560). In various examples, the stimulation can be applied for durations between approximately 0.05 ms and approximately 2 ms. Such signals can be applied through a single, unipolar electrode or a bipolar electrode, for example, as described with regard to the various probe configurations of FIGS. 1A-1D. In some examples, stimulation signals can be applied via a bipolar electrode with “anodal blocking,” as will be described below.

The probe 240 includes recording electrodes 244, in the illustrated embodiment positioned distally from stimulating electrodes 242. The recording electrodes 244 can be configured to detect electrical signals in the patient's nerves at a location separate from the stimulating electrodes 242. For example, the recording electrodes 244 can be used to detect an elicited potential caused by a stimulus from the stimulating electrodes 242 and propagating toward the organ.

In some configurations, the stimulation of nerves to evoke an elicited potential can cause such a potential to propagate in every direction along the nerve fibers. In some situations, it can be undesirable for such a potential to propagate unnecessarily through the nerve for patient safety and/or desired signal isolation purposes. In some configurations, the propagation of elicited action potentials can be “blocked” by applying an electrical signal to a portion of the nerve. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a probe or additional component can include electrodes configured to reduce or eliminate an elicited potential from propagating undesirably. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, the probe 240 can include a third stimulating electrode (not shown) further from the organ along the arterial wall than the first and second stimulating electrodes 242. During the application of a stimulation signal, a blocking stimulation pulse can be applied via the third electrode to prevent elicited action potentials from travelling proximally along the patient's nerves while permitting the action potential to propagate toward the recording electrodes 244.

In some embodiments, the ECU 202 can digitally sample the signal on the recording electrode(s) 244 to receive the electrical signal from the probe 240. In alternate embodiments, the signal can be recorded as an analog signal. When receiving an electrical signal from the probe 240, the ECU 202 can perform filtering and/or other processing steps on the signal. Generally, such steps can be performed to discriminate the signal from the probe from any background noise within the patient's vasculature such that the resulting output is predominantly the signal from nerve cell activation. In some instances, the ECU 202 can modulate the electrical impedance of the signal receiving portion in order to accommodate the electrical properties and spatial separation of the electrodes mounted on the probe in a manner to achieve the highest fidelity, selectively and resolution for the signal received. For example, electrode size, separation, and conductivity properties can impact the field strength at the electrode/tissue interface.

Additionally or alternatively, the ECU 202 can comprise a headstage and/or an amplifier to perform any of offsetting, filtering, and/or amplifying the signal received from the probe. In some examples, a headstage applies a DC offset to the signal and performs a filtering step. In some such systems, the filtering can comprise applying notch and/or band-pass filters to suppress particular undesired signals having a particular frequency content or to let pass desired signals having a particular frequency content. An amplifier can be used to amplify the entire signal uniformly or can be used to amplify certain portions of the signal more than others. For example, in some configurations, the amplifier can be configured to provide an adjustable capacitance of the recording electrode, changing the frequency dependence of signal pick-up and amplification. In some embodiments, properties of the amplifier, such as capacitance, can be adjusted to change amplification properties, such as the resonant frequency, of the amplifier.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the ECU 202 includes an amplifier 212 in communication with the recording electrodes 244 of the probe 240 in order to receive electrical signals therefrom. The amplifier 212 can include any appropriate amplifier for amplifying desired signals or attenuating undesired signals. In some examples, the amplifier has a high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) for eliminating or substantially attenuating undesired signals present in each at each of the recording electrodes 244. In the illustrated embodiment, the amplifier 212 is electrically coupled to tissue 260 of the patient for providing a reference signal to the amplifier. In some embodiments, amplifier 212 can be adjusted as described above, for example, via an adjustable capacitance or other attributes of the amplifier.

In the exemplary system 200 of FIG. 2, the ECU 202 further includes a filter 214 for enhancing the desired signal in the signal received from recording electrodes 244. As described, the filter 214 can include a band-pass filter, a notch filter, or any other appropriate filter to isolate desired signals from the received signals. Similar to the amplifier 212 discussed above, in some embodiments, various properties of the filter 214 can be adjusted to manipulate its filtering characteristics. For example, the filter may include an adjustable capacitance or other parameter to adjust its frequency response.

At least one of amplification and filtering of the signal received at the recording electrodes 244 can allow for extraction of the desired signal at 216. In some embodiments, extraction 216 comprises at least one additional processing step to isolate desired signals from the signal received at recording electrodes 244, such as preparing the signal for output at 218. In some embodiments, the functionalities of any combination of amplifier 212, filter 214, and extraction 216 may be combined into a single entity. For instance, the amplifier 212 may act to filter undesired frequency content from the signal without requiring additional filtering at a separate filter.

In some embodiments, the ECU 202 can record emitted stimuli and/or received signals. Such data can be subsequently stored in permanent or temporary memory 220. The ECU 202 can comprise such memory 220 or can otherwise be in communication with external memory (not shown). Thus, the ECU 202 can be configured to emit stimulus pulses to electrodes of the probe, record such pulses in a memory, receive signals from the probe, and also record such received signal data. While shown in FIG. 2 as being a part of the processor, it will be appreciated that the memory in or associated with the ECU 202 can be internal or external to any part of the ECU 202 or the ECU 202 itself.

The ECU 202 or separate external processor can further perform calculations on the stored data to determine characteristics of signals either emitted or received via the probe. For example, in various embodiments, the ECU 202 can determine any of the amplitude, duration, or timing of occurrence of the received or emitted signals. The ECU 202 can further determine the relationship between the received signal and the emitted stimulus signal, such as a temporal relationship therebetween. In some embodiments, the ECU 202 performs signal averaging on the signal data received from the probe. Such averaging can act to reduce random temporal noise in the data while strengthening the data corresponding to any elicited potentials received by the probe. An exemplary data collection procedure is outlined below:

-   -   1. Generate a stimulus pulse     -   2. Sample or record data from the receiving over a time period         of interest; stop sampling or recording after period of interest         (e.g., after any elicited potential might be detected)     -   3. Repeat steps 1 and 2; add the resulting samples to those         already sampled     -   4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 as needed         Averaging as such can result in a signal in which temporally         random noise is generally averaged out and the signal present in         each recorded data set, such as elicited potentials, will remain         high. In some embodiments, each iteration of the process can         include a synchronization step so that each acquired data set         can be temporally registered to facilitate averaging the data.         That is, events that occur consistently at the same time during         each iteration may be detected, while temporally random         artifacts (e.g., noise) can be reduced. In general, the signal         to noise ratio resulting in such averaging will improve by the         square root of the number of samples averaged in order to create         the averaged data set.

The ECU 202 can further present information regarding any or all of the applied stimulus, the signal, and the results of any calculations to a user of the system, e.g., via output 218. For example, the ECU 202 can generate a graphical display providing one or more graphs of signal strength vs. time representing the stimulus and/or the received signal. FIG. 4 is an exemplary plot of signal strength vs. time illustrating a stimulus signal 400 and an associated elicited potential 402. Time stamp 0 is indicative of the triggering of the stimulus signal 400 while stamp 1 represents the onset of the elicited potential. In alternative embodiments, the ECU 202 can present information representative of such signals to the user via an audio alert or any other appropriate method of communication.

In some embodiments, the ECU 202 can include a controller 222 in communication with one or both of stimulator 206 and signal processor 210. The controller 222 can be configured to cause stimulator 206 to apply a stimulation signal to the probe 240. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 222 can be configured to analyze signals received and/or output by the signal processor 210. In some embodiments, the controller 222 can act to control the timing of applying the stimulation signal from stimulator 206 and the timing of receiving signals by the signal processor 210.

Exemplary electrical control units have been described. In various embodiments, the ECU 202 can emit stimulus pulses to the probe, receive signals from the probe, perform calculations on the emitted and/or received signals, and present the signals and/or results of such calculations to a user. In some embodiments, the ECU 202 can comprise separate modules for emitting, receiving, calculating, and providing results of calculations. Additionally or alternatively, the functionality of controller 222 can be integrated into the ECU 202 as shown, or can be separate from and in communication with the ECU.

In some embodiments, the ECU 202 can include a switching network configured to interchange which of electrodes 242, 244 of the probe are coupled to which portions of the ECU. For instance, in some examples, the ECU 202 as shown in FIG. 2 can be adjusted so that the stimulator 206 is in electrical communication with electrodes 244 of the probe and the signal processor 210 is in electrical communication with electrodes 242 of the probe. Additionally or alternatively, the ECU 202 includes inputs for receiving connectors electrically coupling the ECU 202 to the electrodes (242, 244) of the probe 240. In some such embodiments, a user can manually switch which inputs receive connections to which electrodes of the probe 240. Such configurability allows for a system operator to adjust the direction of propagation of the elicited potential as desired.

Some aspects of the invention include methods of using systems such as those described above. An exemplary method is illustrated in FIG. 3. During use, according to some embodiments, a probe is inserted percutaneously into the arterial vasculature and advanced into an artery (302) such that the electrodes are placed in contact with the arterial lumen wall. Any appropriate probe can be used, such as exemplary probes described above. Additionally, while the method of FIG. 3 is generally directed toward interfacing with an arterial wall, similar methods can be employed in other blood vessels. A stimulus can be emitted into the arterial lumen wall via the probe (304), and the resulting signal (e.g., elicited signal or action potential) can be detected via the probe and recorded to the ECU. Such a measurement can be set as a baseline measurement (306), since no destruction to the nerves has yet been applied. The recorded baseline signal can be stored in a memory in the system.

After recording a baseline measurement, a nerve destruction process can be applied (308) to the nerves within or proximate the artery. Among various embodiments, the nerve destruction means can be applied (i) through the artery lumen wall (310) (e.g., for the purposes of terminating nerve activity) or (ii) through a probe inserted into the patient's abdomen to a position in proximity to the artery (312) (e.g., for the purposes of terminating nerve activity). The destruction process can be ceased (314) after an amount of time, and a stimulus can once again be emitted via the probe (316) and the resulting elicited signal can be detected (318) via the probe.

The detected and recorded elicited signal can be stored in memory and/or compared to the baseline signal (320) previously stored. Based on the comparison, a relative amount of nerve destruction performed by the destructive means can be determined. In some embodiments, the comparison is calculated automatically and a relative amount of destruction is communicated to a user. A user can then determine (322) whether additional destruction is appropriate, or if sufficient destruction has been performed. Alternatively, in some configurations, the determination can be automated. That is, if the controller 222 (as a part of or separate from the ECU 202) can determine whether or not a sufficient amount of destruction has been performed based on an automated comparison. For example, the controller 222 can determine if the comparison satisfies a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition indicating a sufficient amount of destruction has been performed.

Satisfying the predetermined condition can include, in various examples, a reduction of the magnitude of the elicited potential by a predetermined percentage or absolute amount, or a complete elimination of the elicited potential. In such automated embodiments, if it is determined (322) that insufficient destruction has taken place (e.g., the predetermined condition is not met), the controller 222 can cause the destructive means to perform additional destructive processes (308) to the patient's nerves. In other embodiments, a user can manually apply additional destructive processes (308) of insufficient destruction is detected. If sufficient destruction has been performed (e.g., the predetermined condition is met), then the destruction process is complete (324).

In general, this process can be repeated (aside from reacquiring a baseline measurement) until it has been determined that sufficient destruction has been performed. That is, when nerve activity is reduced to an acceptable level. Then, the process is terminated and the probe can be withdrawn from the patient's body (324). FIGS. 5A-5C show the progression of elicited potentials in arterial nerves in response to a stimulus pulse as the relative amount of nerve destruction increases. FIG. 5A is a plot showing a stimulus signal 500 a and a detected elicited response 502 a before performing a destructive operation on the arterial nerves. In some examples, FIG. 5A can represent a baseline measurement. FIG. 5B illustrates a stimulus signal 500 b and a detected elicited response 502 b. As can be seen, the elicited response 502 b is significantly smaller than elicited baseline response 502 a, indicating that significant destruction of arterial nerves has been performed. FIG. 5C illustrates a stimulus signal 500 c and a detected elicited response 502 c after still more arterial nerve destruction has been performed. As can be seen, the elicited response 502 c is much smaller than that of either the elicited baseline response 502 a or the response 502 b, and is almost non-existent. This implies that further, or possibly complete, arterial nerve destruction has taken place.

During such stimulating, detecting, and destruction procedures, many factors can be considered and/or manipulated to improve system performance. Several factors can be manipulated or taken into account while stimulating nerves to elicit a response, including:

(a) Stimulus Strength—In general, the stimulus must be of a sufficient strength (voltage) to induce an elicited potential. In some embodiments, the stimulus can be of sufficient strength such that most of the nerves along the artery are stimulated. In some situations, such as with the renal artery, many nerves are known to run along the outside of the artery, which may require a stimulus from a probe inside the artery to be sufficiently large for eliciting action potentials in the nerves. In some examples, probes can be configured to provide stimulus signals based on a desired level of current (e.g., in a constant current mode of operation), for example, between approximately 1 mA and approximately 25 mA, while providing whatever voltage is necessary for such currents, in some cases up to or above 100 V. In other examples, stimulations are based only on a desired voltage (e.g., in a constant voltage mode of operation), such as approximately 1 V, or range of voltages, such as between 0.1 V and 1 V, between 1 V and 10 V, etc.

(b) Electrode Separation—In general, for any given voltage, the closer the electrodes are, the stronger the resulting electric field gradient. However, electrodes spaced too close together can result in a short circuit along the tissue itself such that the current is shunted and a voltage gradient is not allowed to develop. In some embodiments, electrodes are separated by approximately 1-3 mm. In some examples, electrode spacing can be designed based on expected action potential magnitude, duration, and/or propagation velocity.

(c) Pulse Width—To elicit such potentials, the pulse often will be applied for a sufficient duration such that the voltage gradient developed by the stimulus pulse has enough time to effect an action (elicited) potential, but not so long as keep the nerves in a constant state of depolarization. In some embodiments, pulse widths can be between 50 to 100 μs; in other systems, pulse widths of approximately 1-10 ms can be used.

(d) Frequency—Finally, the frequency or repetition rate of the stimulus needs to be considered. In some embodiments, a frequency that is too fast can exhaust the nerve while a frequency that is too slow can unnecessarily delay the process. In various embodiments, frequencies within approximately 5-40 Hz can be used.

In addition to considerations of the nerve stimulation pulses, some parameters of the system are configured to maximally elicit bursts of autonomic activity via electrodes placed within the arterial lumen, as well as to enable sufficient detection of autonomic activity. For example, in some embodiments, parameters such as stimulation type, delivery fashion, pulse frequency, pulse duration, phase duration, current intensity, pulse period and pulse train of the electrical stimulation can be selected to have a maximum effect on eliciting autonomic neural activity and be amenable to recording the elicit bursts nearby. In some examples, electrodes can be spaced apart and/or sized according to applied stimulation signals in order to maximize the effect of the applied stimulation. For example, the electrodes can be spaced according to the propagation velocity and/or stimulation pulse width so that the entire duration of a desired pulse shape is used for stimulation purposes between the anode and the cathode.

Further, in some embodiments, various aspects of recording electrodes can be configured to better receive or distinguish elicited potential. For example, in some embodiments, the size of the recording electrodes can be selected based on at least one of the propagation velocity of elicited potentials in the patient's nerves and the pulse width of the elicited potentials. In some embodiments, the recording electrodes have a width that is approximately the same as the pulse width of the elicited potential. In further embodiments, the recording electrodes have a width that is smaller than the pulse width of the elicited potential. In general, a narrow electrode can minimize the amount of noise present at the surface of electrode simultaneously with the elicited potential.

As previously discussed, elicited potentials in autonomic nerves are generally small and are often difficult to detect. Further, the position of autonomic nerves proximate an arterial lumen can make detection of elicited potentials from within the artery difficult. For example, renal artery nerves lie longitudinally along the renal artery and are circumferentially all around the arterial wall as well as outside the renal artery lumen. As such, detection of elicited potentials by an indwelling probe is made difficult both by the barrier presented by the arterial wall itself as well as the distance from the sensing electrodes to the nerves. Thus, it is important to be able to both detect and distinguish such signals from other noise in the patient and system.

One process to enhance the detection of elicited potentials involves expecting any such potentials to be present at a certain time. That is, a known action potential propagation/conduction velocity and electrode spacing allows for creating a temporal window in which the elicited potential can be predicted to arrive at the recording electrode. Accordingly, methods according to the present invention can include receiving elicited signals via the probe within a predetermined time window. For example, with respect to FIGS. 5A-5C, numeral 0 represents the time at which the stimulus potential is applied, while numerals 1 and 2 represent the start and end times in which an elicited potential is expected based on the electrode spacing and the elicited potential propagation velocity. As shown, the detection elicited potentials are generally present within the defined temporal window. Detecting nerve signals within only a predefined temporal window can help prevent the system from receiving noise or other artifacts not associated with elicited potentials and falsely relating them to such potentials.

Additionally or alternatively, various steps can be employed to isolate the detection of elicited potentials from detection of the stimulation signal at the recording electrodes. In general, the stimulation pulse will reach the recording electrodes before the elicited potential arrives. This is because the elicited potential propagates by a different mechanism than the stimulation pulse. While the stimulation pulse propagates toward the recording electrodes due to electrical conduction through body tissues and fluids, elicited potentials propagate along axons via a sequential cell membrane process. Such propagation occurs having a velocity between approximately 0.2 m/s and approximately 200 m/s., which is comparatively slower than the stimulation pulse. Thus, in some instances, the recording electrodes can be blanked for a period of time following the application of the simulation pulse, allowing the stimulation pulse to effectively pass by the recording electrodes without being recorded. Monitoring by the recording electrodes can be resumed after blanking in time to receive the elicited potential following the stimulation pulse.

In some embodiments, the probe can be configured to allow for a maximum separation between the simulating electrode(s) and the recording electrode(s). Such a configuration results in a greater temporal separation of the stimulation pulse and the elicited potential at the recording electrodes when compared to more closely-spaced electrodes. In some examples, the practical distance between the stimulating electrode(s) and the recording electrode(s) is limited by the length of the artery in which the probe is inserted for operation. Thus, in some embodiments, the probe comprises an adjustable distance between the stimulating electrode(s) and the recording electrode(s) in order to allow for the distance between the sets of electrodes to be maximized while allowing the probe to adequately fit within the artery of the patient.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary probe configured for adjustable separation of the stimulating and recording electrode(s). As shown, stimulating electrodes 642 are present on a first portion 632 of the probe 640, while recording electrodes 644 are present on a second portion 634 of the probe 640. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 634 is located distally from the first portion 632 in a patient's artery, for example, toward an organ. The second portion 634 can be configured to translate relative to first portion 632, allowing for the adjustment of the probe length and the separation between the stimulation 642 and recording 644 electrodes. In some examples, translation of the second portion 634 relative to the first portion 632 is achieved by a telescoping configuration between the first 632 and second 634 portions of the probe 640.

As generally discussed previously, various processing steps can be performed by an ECU or other processor to further distinguish elicited potentials from other signals. As shown in the schematic diagram in FIG. 2, the ECU can include a signal processor comprising an amplifier, filter, and other signal extraction tools. The amplifier can comprise a common-mode rejection amplifier in order to emphasize an elicited signal over the background noise of the artery. In some embodiments, the amplifier comprises a common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of approximately 100 dB or more. A band-pass filter can be used to attenuate signals not within an expected frequency band indicative of elicited potentials. Additionally or alternatively, a band-reject filter can be used to specifically attenuate expected noise at an expected frequency. For example, a band-reject filter centered around approximately 60 Hz might be used. Various other signal processing and extraction techniques can similarly be employed, such as the averaging processes herein described.

In some embodiments, various characteristics (e.g., capacitance, resistance, etc.) of components such as the electrodes, circuitry, or parts of the ECU 202, such as an amplifier or filter, can be adjusted either automatically or manually. For example, in some systems, the capacitance of a filter or amplifier can be adjusted to tune bandwidths or resonant frequencies of such components to better extract signals representative of elicited potentials. In some processes, a user or controller 222 can adjust such values and observe the response to such adjustments in order to optimize system operation. That is, in some embodiments, such values are manually adjustable, and a user can adjust such values while observing signal detection performance. In some situations, specific probe types have known properties that affect the stimulation or detection of elicited potentials in the patient. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the ECU 202 can detect or receive a “probe type” input and automatically adjust the capacitance and/or resistance accordingly to allow for enhanced stimulation or amplification and detection of elicited potential. In various embodiments, the “probe type” input can be entered manually, or the system can automatically detect the probe type.

In some embodiments, systems such as those herein described can be utilized for diagnostic purposes. In an exemplary procedure, such as illustrated in FIG. 7, a probe such as those herein described can be inserted into the vasculature of a patient. In various embodiments, the probe is inserted percutaneously, and further can be advanced into an artery (702). The probe can be used to detect signals in the arterial wall indicative of spontaneous or native activity of nerves from within the wall (704), for example, electrical signals. Such detected signals can be processed in order to isolate and extract the desired spontaneous signals (706). Processing can include averaging to eliminate temporal noise, filtering the signal to amplify or to attenuate various frequency bands, or any other processing described herein or otherwise known in the art.

The processed signals can be recorded (708), for example in a temporary or permanent memory, and presented to a user for the purposes of medical diagnosis. Signals can be presented (710), for example, as a plot of signal vs. time on a display. Additionally or alternatively, the signals can be compared to existing signal data (712) for comparing the patient's spontaneous nerve activity to a baseline. In some examples, the patient's spontaneous nerve activity can be compared to that of a healthy patient to assess organ or nervous health. Such a comparison can provide indication as to whether or not ablation may be an effective treatment for the particular patient. In other examples, the spontaneous nervous activity can be analyzed independently from any previously recorded nervous activity to determine the health of the patient's proximate nerves or the viability of nerve treatments on the patient.

An exemplary display is shown in FIG. 8, in which the signal is plotted against time, showing extracted spontaneous nerve activity proximate the artery containing the probe. Comparisons between detected nerve activity and a baseline nerve activity stored in memory can provide indications for possible next steps to be performed. For instance, in some examples, if a patient displays little or no spontaneous nerve activity, a clinician may determine that a nerve destruction process is not likely to significantly affect the patient, and may explore alternative treatment options. In other instances, if a patient exhibiting high levels of abnormal nerve activity, a clinician may determine that the patient may benefit from a nerve destruction process. As such, the diagnostic use of the probe recording electrodes can allow for the execution of an informed treatment plan rather than the arbitrary destruction of nerve function. Subsequently, if nerve destruction is desired, operations such as those described above, for example as in FIG. 3, can be carried out using the system.

Various examples of systems and methods have been described. The description provided herein is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the description provides practical illustrations for implementing various exemplary embodiments. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to those of skill in the field. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that can be utilized. These and others are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method for at least partially eliminating nerve function proximate a patient's blood vessel comprising: inserting a probe into a patient's blood vessel, the probe comprising at least one stimulating electrode and at least one recording electrode and the inserting of the probe being such that the at least one stimulating electrode and the at least one recording electrode are in electrical contact with an interior wall of the patient's blood vessel; applying a first electrical stimulus to the interior wall of the patient's blood vessel via the at least one stimulating electrode, the first electrical stimulus being sufficient to provoke an elicited potential in the patient's nerves; detecting a first set of electrical data via the at least one recording electrode following the application of the first electrical stimulus; recording the first set of data; applying a nerve destruction process to the patient's autonomic nerves proximate the blood vessel and between the at least one stimulating electrode and the at least one recording electrode; applying a second electrical stimulus to the interior wall of a patient's blood vessel via the at least one stimulating electrode; detecting a second set of electrical data via the at least one recording electrode following the application of the second electrical stimulus; determining an effect of the nerve destruction process on the elicited potential, the determining indicating whether the effect is sufficient; and in the condition that the effect of the nerve destruction process on the elicited potential is insufficient, applying the nerve destruction process.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one stimulating electrode comprises an anode and a cathode, and wherein applying the first electrical stimulus comprises applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an effect of the nerve destruction process on the elicited potential comprises comparing the second set of electrical data to the first set of electrical data
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: processing the first and second sets of electrical data prior to comparing the second set of electrical data to the first set of electrical data.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein receiving the first set of electrical data comprises receiving a first plurality of sets of electrical data and wherein processing the first set of electrical data comprises combining the sets of electrical data in the first plurality of sets of electrical data to create the first set of electrical data; and receiving the second set of electrical data comprises receiving a second plurality of sets of electrical data and wherein processing the second set of electrical data comprises combining the sets of electrical data in the second plurality of sets of electrical data to create the second set of electrical data.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein processing the first and second sets of electrical data comprises at least one of filtering and amplifying the electrical data.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein processing the first and second sets of electrical data further comprises adjusting a capacitance in the system in order to amplify or attenuate signals based on their frequency content.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: applying a blocking electrical signal to the interior wall of the patient's blood vessel to prevent the elicited potential from propagating in a predetermined direction.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting a probe into a patient's blood vessel comprises inserting the probe into the patient's renal artery.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first set of electrical data via the at least one recording electrode comprises receiving electrical signals from the at least one recording electrode during a predetermined time window, wherein the predetermined time window has (i) a start time after the application of the first electrical stimulus and prior to the elicited potential arriving at the at least one recording electrode and (ii) an end time after the elicited potential has traversed past the recording electrode.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising blanking the at least one recording electrode for a period of time prior to the start time of the predetermined time window.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electrical stimulus and the second electrical stimulus comprise substantially the same electrical signal.
 13. A system for assessing elicited potentials in a patient's autonomic nerves comprising: a probe having at least one stimulating electrode and at least one recording electrode, the at least one stimulating electrode capable of transmitting an electrical stimulus into an interior wall of a patient's blood vessel and the at least one recording electrode capable of detecting electrical signals from the interior wall of the patient's blood vessel; and an electronic control unit (ECU) in electrical communication with the probe and capable of: (a) providing an electrical signal to the at least one stimulating electrode of the probe, the electrical signal capable of provoking an elicited potential in the patient's nerves; (b) receiving an electrical signal from the at least one recording electrode of the probe; (c) processing the received signal to produce an output signal; (d) presenting information to a user including at least one of: the output signal, characteristics of the provided electrical signal, characteristics of the received electrical signal, and processing steps or results of the processing steps.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the ECU comprises a receiving portion configured to receive the electrical signals from the at least one recording electrode, and wherein the ECU is capable of modulating an electrical impedance of the receiving portion.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one stimulating electrode and the at least one receiving electrode each comprise at least one ring electrode extending around the circumference of the probe.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one stimulating electrode comprises an anode and a cathode and the at least one recording electrode comprises an active electrode and a reference electrode.
 17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a nerve destruction process capable of destroying nervous tissue of the patient.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the nerve destruction process is configured to destroy nervous tissue of the patient in an area between the at least one stimulating electrode and the at least one recording electrode.
 19. The system of claim 17 further comprising memory for storing output signals; and wherein the ECU is capable of comparing a first output signal representative of an electrical signal received at a first time to a second output signal stored in memory, the second output signal being representative of an electrical signal received at a second time, the second time being earlier than the first time; and determining, from the comparison, the difference in nerve activity of the patient's nerves proximate the blood vessel.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein determining the difference in nerve activity of the patient's nerves proximate the arty comprises determining the relative amount of nerve destruction performed by the nerve destruction process.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the ECU is configured to: (i) provide a first electrical signal to the at least one stimulation electrode; (ii) produce a first output signal representative of a received electrical signal; (iii) apply the nerve destruction process; (iv) provide a second electrical signal to the at least one stimulation electrode; (v) produce a second output signal representative of a received electrical signal; (vi) compare the second output signals to an output signal representative of an electrical signal received prior to the application of the nerve destruction process of step (iii); and (vii) repeat steps (iii)-(vi) until the comparison meets a predetermined condition.
 22. A system for intravascular assessment of autonomic nervous activity comprising: a probe having at least one electrode capable of detecting electrical signals from an interior wall of a blood vessel; and an electronic control unit (ECU) in electrical communication with the probe and capable of: (a) receiving an electrical signal from the at least one electrode of the probe; (b) processing the received electrical signal to produce an output signal; and (c) presenting information including at least one of: the output signal, characteristics of the received electrical signal, processing steps performed in the processing of the received signal, or results of the processing steps. 